Massive Five-year Plan to Boost Israel’s Farm Output Announced

A IL500 million program to expand Israel’s agricultural output over the next five years was disclosed by a Ministry of Agriculture spokesman here today. He said that if approved, the program would increase the value of Israel’s farm produce and citrus exports to $197 million compared to $134 million this year. The spokesman said that Israel’s over-all agricultural production would be increased from the present IL 1.85 billion to IL 2.45 billion by 1975. The program calls for an additional 7500 acres of citrus orchards to be planted mainly with grapefruit and tangerines. Cotton production will be expanded from the present 75,000 acres to 100,000 acres and the production of other export crops such as peanuts and flowers which are air freighted to Europe will be increased, the spokesman said.